Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic California
Inspired by the timepieces from the 50s and 60s, the new Alpiner Extreme Automatic California boasts a dial consisting of half Roman and half Arabic numerals, a signature feature of “California” clock faces.
For the first time, the watch comes in a smaller 39 x 40.5 mm case and is presented in two new colourways with sandblasted dial: a Sunburst dial in shades of brown and orange; and a pine green dégradé one that evokes the outdoor spirit at the heart of the Alpiner Extreme collection. Each model is equipped with a steel case with sapphire crystal back, a date display at 3 o’clock and a rubber strap fastened with a with a folding buckle.
Lending these two new watches their vintage aesthetic hallmark is the “California” dial. This dial consists of Roman numerals from 10 to 2 o’clock, followed by Arabic ones from 4 to 8 o’clock. Many legendary figures have tried to explain this unusual combination, ranging from a mistake made by the dial supplier to a genuine military invention designed to prevent time from being misread.
California dials were born in the period between the two World Wars, likely during the 1930s. Since then, they have quietly endured over the decades. They have established themselves as a quirky style beloved by enlightened and impassioned amateurs. The two new Alpiner Extreme Automatic California watches embrace this with details that reinforce their vintage charm. Firstly, California-style indices presented in a clear, large typeface with a vintage beige luminescent finish.
Then, the two new colourways created for the dial. The first is a Sunburst dial A classic watchmaking style. This one recreates the hues of the sun setting over the Pacific horizon. Drawing closer to the curved flange of the minutes track, the sun sets and the brown takes on a hint of black, against which the luminescent hour markers light up.
The second adopts the same effect with a pine green dégradé. There’s a reason for this choice: the colour symbolises the call of the wild and the conquering of mountain tops in the native environment of Alpina, a brand born at the foothills of the Alps. The green is deeper at the edges and softer in the centre.
Lastly, the two new vintage-style Alpiner Extreme Automatic California watches feature a 39 x 40.5 mm version of the iconic cushion case: a unisex size that appeals to all and is prized by collectors.
The new steel case echoes the finishes of its predecessors, with a vertically brushed bezel set on a circular satin-finished case. The chamfer edges are polished to a mirror finish, underscoring the lines of this complex, iconic Alpina timepiece.
Both models are powered by the AL-525 automatic calibre, extensively tested in the brand’s collections. It features a date display at 3 o’clock and a power reserve of 38 hours.
Model: Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic California
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date at 3 o’clock
Movement
AL-525 caliber, automatic
38-hour power-reserve, 28’800 alt/h, 26 jewels
Case
Brushed and polished stainless steel 3-part case
Diameter of 39X40.50 mm
Height of 11.50 mm
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Water-resistant up to 20 ATM/200m/660ft
Engraved and see-through screwed case-back
Screw-down crown
Reference AL-525BRG3AE6
Dial
Brown dial with sandblasted finishing
Dark brown outer ring with beige markers
California dial with a mix of roman and Arabic indexes
Applied indexes filled with beige luminous treatment
Date window at 3 o’clock
Hand-polished silver color hour and minute hands filled with beige luminous treatment
Polished silver color second hand with red triangle
Strap
Black rubber strap
Folding buckle with push button
Suggested retail price
1,695€
Reference AL-525GRG3AE6
Dial
Green dial with sandblasted finishing
Green outer ring with beige markers
California dial with a mix of roman and Arabic indexes
Applied indexes filled with beige luminous treatment
Date window at 3 o’clock
Hand-polished silver color hour and minute hands filled with beige luminous treatment
Polished silver color second hand with red triangle
Strap
Black rubber strap
Folding buckle with push button
Suggested retail price
1,695€
